Jesse Lingard, a midfielder for Manchester United, claims his ‘headspace is clear’ and that the club ‘recommended’ him to take time off, rather than the other way around.
Lingard sought a vacation to ‘clear his thoughts,’ according to Ralf Rangnick, who spoke at a news conference on Thursday. It happened just days after a deadline-day move to Newcastle fell through. Later that day, the player, in a social media post, refuted the interim manager’s assertion.
“Due to personal issues, the club encouraged me to take some time off.” But my mind is clear, and I’ll always be professional and give my all when called upon,” he wrote on Twitter.
Lingard, whose contract expires in the summer, has yet to start a Premier League match this season. He intended to leave Old Trafford on loan in January in preparation for the 2022 World Cup. United did not want to reinforce a top-four competitor, therefore West Ham and Tottenham were intrigued.
As a result, Newcastle was the best option for the England international. Even for the Saudi-owned Magpies, United’s purported demand for a £12 million Premier League survival bonus was too much.
Rangnick’s team will play Championship club Middlesbrough in a fourth-round FA Cup clash on Friday evening.